Improvement in watchmen s time-detecters



J. H. MARVIL.4 Watchmans Time Detector.

Patented Ma'y 21,1878.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

JosHUA E. MAnvlL, or LAUREL, DELAWARE.

IMPROVEMENT IN WATCHMENS TlME-DETECTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Fatent No. 204,063, dated May 2l, 1878 application filed May l, 1878.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSHUA H. MARVIL, of Laurel, in the county of Sussex and State of Delaware, have invented new and useful Iniprovements in Watchmens Time-Detecters, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to an improved watchmans time-detecter; its object being to provide a simple, cheap and efficient apparatus by means of which any time lost by a watchman, or any neglect of duty, will be indicated to the person in charge or superintendent in factories, or other establishments where a watch is kept.

To this end my invention consists of a oasing constructed of any suitable material, having a glass front permanently secured to it, and containing an ordinary clock or timepiece, to the winding-stein of which is secured a lever, extending through a slot in the side of the casing, by means of which the clock may loe wound from time to time by the watchman on duty, the lever serving to wind the clock to such an extent only as to keep the clock ruiming for a short period of time, so that the watchman will be obliged to attend to it repeatedly during his watch, and at regular intervals, in order to keep it from running down and reporting his negligence, the clock being set when the watchman is put on duty to correspond with the watch or time-piece of the person in charge of the establishment.

My invention further consists in the combination, with the casing, the winding-lever, and slot through which it passes, of an adjustable gage, by means of which the play of the winding-lever may be varied, in such manner as to vary the length of time that the clock will run, in order that the person in charge can regulate the frequency of the watchmans visits to the apparatus as may be desired.

In the drawing, Figure l represents a front view of my improved apparatus; Fig. 2, a perspective view of the same; Fig. 3, a perspective view of a modification of my improvement; and Fig. 4, a side elevation of the same.

The letter A represents a cylindrical or other shaped casin g, of metal or other suitable mateterial, having mounted within it an ordinary clock or time-piece, B. The front of the cas ing is composed of a glass plate permanently fastened to its seat, so that while the face of the clock will be fully exposed to view, it will be impossible for the watchman or other unauthorized person to tamper with it. The letter D represents a lever secured to the winding-stem E of the clock, and extending out through a slot, F, in the easing, in such manner that it may be operated to wind the spring slightly, so that the clock will run for a limited amount of time, which will depend upon the length oi' the slot, the lever being stopped when it arrives at the end of the slot, stopping the clock.

In the modiication shown in Figs. 3 and Al, the casing is provided with a series of apertures, G, on opposite sides of the slot, and with a detachable gage, H, provided with projections, as shown in Fig. 5, by means of which it may be secured across the slot at any desired point. The letter K represents a segmental strip of metal, hinged to the casing at one side of the slot in such position that it may be locked down upon the endof the gage, so as to secure it in place beyond any possibility of being tampered with, the casing being provided with a hasp and padlock to lock the strip down. The casing is provided with a loop, L, by means of which it may be secured to a wall or other support.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood by the above description, and is as follows: The clock is set to correspond with the time of the watch or time-piece of the superintendent or person in charge of an establishment at the time the watchman goes on duty. The watchman is required to keep the clock constantly going, and as it only runs for a limited time, say from ten to thirty minutes, it requires the watchman to be constantly on hand in order to wind it at proper intervals, as any failure to wind the clock will result in a loss of time, that will be indicated by the difference between the time and the time of the watch or time-piece that it was set by.

It will thus be seen that a reliable, cheap, and simple apparatus is produced, as the ordinary clock-works in the market may be employed, the only alteration necessary being that a somewhat larger ratchet on the winding-shaft is necessary'.

tating rewinding by the Watchman from time to time, substantially as and for the purpose specified.4

2. In combination with the easing and the operating-lever, the adjustable gage and hinged strip for securing said gage in plaee, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

JOSHUA H. MARVIL.

Witnesses:

VANDRETH S. MARVIL, THOMAS W. RALPH. 

